Induction of new howitzers to begin very shortly: VCOAS

New Delhi, Dec 28: The Indian Army's bid to maximise its firepower will get a major boost with the induction of the new 155-mm howitzers set to begin ''very shortly,'' outgoing Army Vice Chief Lt Gen S Pattabhiraman today said.

''The premier branch of the Army's firepower is the artillery.

Trials for the new howitzer are on... we will evaluate the results and choose the best option,'' he told mediapersons, after inspecting a Guard of Honour, prior to his retirement.

''The induction will begin very shortly,'' added Lt Gen Pattabhiraman -- who had stressed his chief priorities would be the modernisation of the artillery and the Special Forces when he took over last October.

The Indian Army had shortlisted three howitzers -- the Swedish Bofors, the Israeli Soltam and the South African Denel -- as part of its plans to increase its firepower as well as standardise its calibre of the artillery. It had planned to buy 150 readymade, while the rest were to be manufactured here under a transfer of technology agreement.

However, the South African contender was blacklisted after allegations that it had indulged in ''corrupt practices'' to win an earlier contract surfaced.

The two left in the race have gone an extensive series of trials.

At presently, the 'cold weather' trials are underway in Ladakh, while the 'hot weather' trials had been conducted at Pokhran firing range in the summer months.

UNI